by 
Christian Velasquez tearing down the field on one of his 5 scoring runs. Photo by Alize Velasquez.
San Manuel senior running back Christian Velasquez set a new school record with 348 rushing yards in the Miners’ lopsided 60 – 22 win against Globe last Friday night.
Velasquez, who also rushed for five touchdowns in the game, broke the old record of 320 yards, which was set by former Miner Chad Vargas.
“It makes me really happy,” Velasquez told the Miner about setting the new rushing record. “None of this would have been possible without our offensive line, of course.”
Indeed it wouldn’t.
Both Velasquez and San Manuel head coach Daniel Williams were sure to credit offensive linemen Jesus Gonzales, Michael Ochoa, Armando Estrada, Luis Chavez, and Michael Mendibles.
“Our blocking was outstanding,” said Williams. “Our offensive line has been outstanding up to this point.”
Reynaldo Martinez carrying the ball. Photo by Alize Velasquez
Sophomore quarterback Caleb Quintero had another efficient game, completing 12-of-18 passes for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He threw one to Rey Martinez, who finished with a team-high 101 receiving yards, and the other to Jose Moreno.
Senior Bridger Davis rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown in the 10th-ranked Miners’ fourth win of the season.
Defensively, the Miners were led by Davis, who had three of the team’s 22 tackles-for-loss in addition to two of its six sacks. Gabe Velasquez, a senior, had 17 tackles, including four TFL.
The Miners are looking ahead to Friday’s game versus Tombstone, anxious to avenge last year’s 62 – 16 defeat.
Christian Velasquez on another scoring run. Photo by Alize Velasquez
“We’ve really picked our game up this year,” Christian Velasquez said. “We’re a lot more focused and really in the game this year.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Editor’s note: Velasquez did it again Friday, Sept. 22. He ran right over the record set on 9/15/17 with an amazing 512 yards rushing on 16 carries!
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by